Lucille Marie Hammer, 99
Our beloved mother lived a long and healthy life.
Lucille Marie Hammer was born at the family homestead in Hoagland, Montana, to Theodore and Martha Gigrich on March 18, 1922. She grew up in Hoagland with two sisters and one brother, who affectionately called her Sue. She graduated from high school a month after she turned 16 and received a scholarship to business school but opted to attend Cosmetology School in Chinook, Montana, instead. After finishing school she owned a beauty shop in Harlem, Montana.
On the Fourth of July in 1943 she came to Kalispell from Harlem and bought Marie’s Beauty Shop, which she owned and operated until 1951.
After World War II Lucille married Howard V. Hammer Sr. at the Presbyterian Church in Kalispell. In 1951 they had a son, Howie, and in 1953 a daughter was born, Arnette.
She was a mom with a quiet strength and we always knew we were loved. She led an active life, gardening, yard work, and was an avid walker. At the age of 90 she entered the Bloomsday Race in Spokane (7.5 miles) finishing first in her age group and received a Gold Medal. After her children were gone she enjoyed oil painting and traveled with her husband within the U.S. and abroad. She was a lifelong bridge player and outlived three bridge clubs.
She passed away unexpectedly, but very peacefully at her home in Kalispell on June 11, 2021, at 99 years of age. Our family would like to acknowledge and extend our gratitude to Lucille’s neighbors (friends) for always keeping a watchful eye out for her. Heaven gained another angel.
Lucille Hammer was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her younger brother Ted Gigrich, and sisters Gin Johnson and, six weeks ago, her older sister Carrie Roselli at 102.
She is survived by her son, Howie Hammer of Kalispell, a daughter, Arnette Daniels (Terry) of Otis Orchards, Washington; five grandchildren, Chad Oakland (Niki) of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, Arne Hammer of Kalispell, Aric Hammer of Kalispell, Amy Freel of Seattle, and Corryn Oakland of Boise, Idaho; along with numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 26, for both Lucille and her sister Carrie Roselli.